comicbookGRRRLDo not offend the chair leg of truth; it is wise and terrible.

As the co-creator of two of my favourite comic series - Transmetropolitan and Ballistic - I always jump at the chance to chat to Darick Robertson.

This time we cover his entire career, from Space Beaver to The Boys and beyond!

ComicsAlliance:Ballistic, The Boys, and Transmetropolitan have similar commentary on the evils of power and corruption in the real world, is that an important aspect of your art?

Darick Robertson: Yeah, I suppose there is a running theme there. I worry a lot and I like to create from the stuff that scares or worries me as a way of purging those feelings, that anxiety.

CA: It seems like a stronger thread through The Boys than the parodying of superheroes. And then there’s the diversity present, as with much of your work — is that an issue close to your heart?

DR: I recall a moment in The Simpsons when Homer says “Every time I learn something new it pushes old stuff out of my brain!”

When I first started going to comic cons, seeing women there, unless they were hired to dress scantily and hang out by booths, their presence as fans was an anomaly. I recall often when signing, seeing a young woman get to the front of the line with a stack of books, and I’d be happy because I thought “Right on! A female reader here who loves comics!” and I’d ask her what she liked and often they’d smile and say, “These are my boyfriend’s.. he’s in another line, I’m not really into comics…”. Most women I’d meet at signings were long-suffering supportive girlfriends and wives. I was tired then of the lopsided attitude in mainstream comics.

Two characters that I am most proud of co-creating are Spider’s filthy assistants, Channon and Yelena, because I was able to draw Channon as glamorous, but tough as nails and smarter than just her looks. I loved when she became Spider’s bodyguard. Yelena wasn’t about glamour at all, but was funny, sardonic, and a great foil as a pseudo love interest for Spider. Both characters had brains and female readers seemed to really embrace them. Actor Anna Chlumsky proclaimed on Late Night with Seth Meyers that Transmetropolitan is her favorite comic and her fantasy football team is called “The Filthy Assistants.” I was thrilled to know she’d not only read it, but loved it! And told a national audience! Not because she was in some production about it, doing PR, but that she genuinely loves it and found it on her own.